Although dryer vent fires might not show up on news reports every day, they are actually more common than you might think. Dryer vents are one of those things that can go unnoticed for many months and even years. They typically run under your house and are seldom seen, but they are very important. If left unclean for too long they not only can cost you more energy, but they can also be the cause of serious damage to your home.
Recently a family in Ohio suffered major damage to their home after their dryer vent caught fire in the building’s basement. Fortunately no one was hurt in the incident, but the damage to the home could have been prevented if the homeowner had taken the time to do some routine maintenance.
According to reports, there are an estimated 15,000 dryer vent fires in U.S. homes every year. That is a lot of damage that could easily be prevented. If you have noticed that your clothes are hot when they come out of the dryer, or that it takes longer than usual to dry a load, then you could have too much lint built up in your dryer vent. Also, if your laundry room is warmer than normal or the dryer itself is hot to the touch, then it’s time to get your dryer vent cleaned.
At Better Air Northwest, we are experts at air duct cleaning, but we also specialize in dryer vent cleaning. Click here to learn more about this important maintenance service in the Portland/Vancouver area.